Washington Township golfers have high hopes for season

View full sizeJoe Russo was the Gloucester County Player of the Year last season as a sophomore.Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols

After a 14-5 record last season, the Washington Township High School golf team looks to improve even more as head coach Shane Snyder enters his second year of coaching the team.

“We are trying to continue the success we started last year,” said Snyder. “We try to teach the boys that at the high school level, golf is a team sport as much as it is an individual (sport) and the boys bought into it. Even if a golfer is having a bad day, we want them to get the best score possible because their teammates are relying on them.”

This year, Snyder thinks that the team has a very good chance to contend for conference, county, sectional and state championships.

“I honestly think that we have a shot this year. We only had one senior last year, so most of our team is returning,” Snyder said. “We have good chemistry and the experience pays off. In the conference that we play in, if you have a bad day, you could lose to any of those teams. Cherokee has just as good of a team as we do and they are returning five of their six starters.”

Snyder is also excited about having senior Justin Elwell and junior Joe Russo coming back.

“They are both really good players,” said Snyder. “They both got a lot better. They push each other and they are both team guys. Even at tryouts they were helping the younger kids. That’s what helps the program keep going strong.”

“I feel good with the team we have,” added Russo. “I am confident in them because we are always consistent. It also helps that everyone really knows each other so we are all connected.

“I am really confident in how we are all going to play. It really helps having confidence in each other. Being able to go out there and not be worried if you have a bad hole or two and having your team pick you up is a good feeling for guys. The most important thing, though, is that we are all coming back.”

Russo was excited for the scrimmage match against Kingsway, but also looks forward to Cherokee and Lenape.

“I was really looking forward to playing Kingsway,” he said. “I wanted to play with their No. 1, Grant Gardiner. He’s a great guy and he gives me a good challenge. As for Cherokee and Lenape, they always give us a good challenge.”

Washington Township may also have the best pair of golfers — in Elwell and Russo — in all of South Jersey.

“I think if Joe and I are on our game, we are the best two,” said Elwell. “There are a lot of good players out there. We also both put in a lot of time in the summer. We were already good but this made us get even better.”

“I have to agree with that statement,” said Russo. “Justin and I are very similar with the way we play the game. We know each other’s game, so we can help each other out if need be. If I have a bad game, he can pick me up and vice versa. We also have a good relationship, so it’s easier to calm each other down if the situation calls for it.”

Although Township doesn’t play Cherokee until April 23, Ewlwell is chomping at the bit to get on the course with a key division foe.

“They are a huge rival for all of Township sports,” Elwell said. “Cherokee is our biggest challenge, because we are both powerhouses in the conference.”

It’s been a long time since Washington Township qualified for a state tournament or the Tournament of Champions.

“We might have a shot at this,” said Snyder. “I think we have enough talent, but it all (could hinge on any) one day. We haven’t won a conference title in a long time. We have small goals along the way, so hopefully we can do this.”

“Our chance is extremely high,” Russo added. “We have a solid team. We have guys who won’t quit if they are playing a bad round. The guys shoot great shots. I think we are gonna be a lot better then our 14-5 record last year. We are filled with juniors and a senior, so we have more experience for the matches which really helps, especially if we make it to states.”